Appropriation; Counselors, Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rod Hickman and 5 co-sponsors

Provides $378,711 for FY2026 to fund the Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors, including 25 positions and a $100,000 upgrade to the Licensing M

Died In Conference

#appropriations #appropriationsa #appropriationsc

Purpose

SB 3024 would have appropriated state funds to support the operations of the Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors for Fiscal Year 2026 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026). The intent was to fund board expenses, authorize staffing, and allocate a designated amount for upgrading the board’s Licensing Management System.

Key provisions

Total appropriation: $378,711 (for FY 2026) to the Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors.

Authorized positions: 25 permanent positions; 0 time‑limited positions.

Earmark: $100,000 of the appropriation is specifically allocated for expenses related to updating the Board’s Licensing Management System.

Budget and records requirements:

The Board must maintain accounting and personnel records for these funds in the same format and detail as FY2025.
The Board’s FY2027 budget request must be submitted to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee in a format and level of detail comparable to the FY2026 submission.

Fiscal safeguards and compliance:

General funds provided by this act may not be used to replace federal or other special funds used for salaries if those funds are withdrawn.
Funds cannot be used in violation of IRS Publication 15‑A reporting requirements for contract employees (as interpreted by the State Auditor).
Agencies may not incur obligations beyond their appropriation (citing Section 27‑104‑25, Mississippi Code).

Procurement preferences:

When two or more bids are equal in price, quality, and service, preference shall be given to Mississippi Industries for the Blind.
The bill text also contemplates giving similar preference to Mississippi Industries for the Blind for purchases made without competitive bids.

Effective date: July 1, 2025.

Who would be affected

Primary beneficiary: Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors — operational funding, staffing authorization, and an IT/licensing system upgrade.

Vendors: Procurement preference provisions could affect vendor selection for commodities/equipment and no‑bid purchases.

Employees/contractors: Funding and IRS compliance language affects how salaries and contract-pay reporting are handled.

Procedural history / timeline (selected)

Filed / Received by Senate: March 14, 2025

Passed Senate (as amended): February 19, 2025; transmitted to House February 20, 2025

Referred to House committees (Appropriations A & C; Education K‑16)

Conferees named in March 2025

Final status: Died In Conference — March 29, 2025 (bill did not become law)

Potential impact (if enacted)

Provides modest operating funding to the Board and supports a targeted $100,000 IT update for its licensing system, which could improve licensing processes for counselors.

Adds formal staffing authorization (25 positions) for the Board’s FY2026 operations.

Procurement preferences and fiscal controls would shape how the Board spends funds and selects vendors.

Bill